Sustainable Recreation and Tourism Initiative

Welcome

Project Description: On March 7, 2019, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC)'s Governing Board awarded Proposition 68 funds in the amount of $618,750 to launch the "Eastern Sierra Sustainable Recreation Partnership: Sustainable Recreation and Tourism Initiative" (SRTI). This action to benefit the SNC's Eastern Sierra sub-region demonstrated a pioneering commitment to California’s rural outdoor recreation economy and the natural resources that make it possible. The SRTI's subsequent program of work distributed across four areas of focus (see "tracks" below) was administered by MLTPA on behalf of the ESSRP from July 2019 until the grant's completion in January 2022. MLTPA is pleased to provide this web page in support of the Eastern Sierra Sustainable Recreation Partnership (ESSRP) and the "Sustainable Recreation and Tourism Initiative."

COVID-19: The pandemic profoundly affected gateway communities and counties in the Eastern Sierra, all recreation activities, and our visitor audience. Despite challenges, the Initiative went digital and virtual, with every expectation that project deliverables would be completed on time consistent with all contractual obligations. Each track has been affected in different ways, so please see their individual web pages for details. Reliable virtual solutions were made possible by the Eastern Sierra's Digital 395 which provided unprecedented open-access broadband network capacity.

The SNC Project Application

In consultation with the Eastern Sierra Council of Governments (ESCOG), the Town of Mammoth Lakes submitted a grant application to the SNC for Proposition 68 funds on behalf of the regional partners, which at that time included Mono County, Inyo County, the City of Bishop, the Town of Mammoth Lakes, the Inyo National Forest, and the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest. The grant application was written by MLTPA, the Mammoth Lakes Trails and Public Access Foundation (MLTPA), in consultation with regional partners.

Download and review the successful SNC grant application for “The Eastern Sierra Sustainable Recreation and Tourism Initiative” - which was originally titled "The Eastern Sierra Office of Sustainable Recreation and Tourism" - a project to support the ESSRP and benefit the SNC’s Eastern sub-region. Also download and review the "The Sierra Nevada Conservancy Strategic Plan 2019–2024", the rationale for funding “The Eastern Sierra Sustainable Recreation and Tourism Initiative”, and the final executed Grant Agreement between SNC and the Town of Mammoth Lakes.

Four Tracks of the Sustainable Recreation and Tourism Initiative

The four tracks of the “Sustainable Recreation and Tourism Initiative” are listed below with links to their individual web pages.

Regional Recreation Stakeholder Engagement

The Initiative convened and facilitated Eastern Sierra recreation stakeholders using mostly digital means in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stakeholders submitted ideas for desired sustainable recreation projects which were then scored for their stewardship value, benefits for access and equity, and benefits for local communities.

Climate Adaptation and Resilience Assessment

The Initiative developed and published a climate change vulnerability assessment and adaptation strategy for the Eastern Sierra which incorporates a valuation of the region’s ecosystem services including the outdoor recreation and tourism economy. The analysis will inform adaptation to climate change and future sustainable recreation investments.

Connection to the Eastern Sierra Visitor Audience

The Initiative convened and facilitated the Visitor Connection Working Group (experienced regional communicators) who collaboratively developed the “Visitor Connection Package”, establishing the foundational components of a voice to engage with the Eastern Sierra’s visitor audience as part of a regional identity.

Project Development and Prioritization

The Initiative provided technical capacity to the ESSRP to identify and prioritize project ideas and then create a portfolio of eight developed sustainable recreation projects along with recommended funding opportunities.

Last Updated January 31, 2022

Funding for this project has been provided by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, an agency of the State of California, under the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access For All Act of 2018 (Proposition 68) and in support of the Sierra Nevada Watershed Improvement Program.